What’s The Best Way To Buy A Hot Water Heater?

How Do I Know When It’s Time For A Water Heater Replacement?

Let’s put it this way, if you are asking that question then it’s likely time to consider a new water heater. What Masters Heating & Cooling often finds is that a homeowner who is asking that sort of question is already concerned about what’s happening in his or her Fort Wayne, Decatur, Angola, Indianapolis, Greenwood, or Mishawaka, IN home.

How the Concern Starts

There can be a number of reasons why homeowners get concerned about their water heaters. It could be as simple as age, meaning the current water heater has exceeded the average lifespan of 8-12 years for a tank style. There can also be performance problems like water that isn’t as hot as it should be or running out of hot water sooner than expected. For the purposes of this conversation let’s assume the decision to move forward with a water heater replacement has been made. Now the focus should be on finding the right water heater for your home.

The Decision Starts With Fuel Type

The vast majority of water heaters are either gas or electric. If you don’t have natural gas service or a propane tank, then electric is the way to go. If you have the option of choosing either, you need to know a gas water heater will usually be cheaper to operate because natural gas costs less than electricity. In the interest of full disclosure there are some less common types of water heaters including:

• Heat pumps
• Geothermal
• Solar

Masters will be happy to help you learn more about these energy efficient alternatives. Just be aware they are significantly more expensive upfront which is why they are not widely used.

Next Question: Tank vs Tankless

By now virtually everyone is aware there are two basic hot water systems. The traditional tank style which means a tank stores 30-50 gallons of water and keeps it hot waiting for use. The so-called tankless system doesn’t heat the water until you turn on the faucet. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Here are just a few highlights:

• Tank style water heaters cost less to buy and install.
  • This is especially true for a water heater replacement when the current system is a tank style heater.
• Tankless systems are cheaper to operate because they only heat the water you need.
  • It will require a period of years to offset the higher initial cost.
• Tankless water heaters never run out of hot water.
  • This is a true statement, but only if the flow rate (gallons/minute) is high enough to meet household demand.

Size Does Matter

In this case Masters is referring to physical size. Starting in 2015 manufacturers were forced to add more insulation to meet new energy guidelines making tank style water heaters larger. In other words, if you have an older 40-gallon water heater and want to replace it with one of the same capacity, the tank could be two inches taller and two inches wider. In tight spaces that could make a water heater replacement difficult or impossible. A tankless water heater takes up far less space.

Here To Answer Your Questions

If you have questions about which water heater is best for your Fort Wayne, Decatur, Angola, Indianapolis, Greenwood, or Mishawaka, IN home, Masters Heating & Cooling is ready to help. If you are still undecided about whether it’s time for a water heater replacement, we’ll be happy to answer those questions as well. For more great information be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.